Mark Gill, who graduated in 2004, has been shortlisted in the live-action short films category.

He directed the movie The Voorman Problem featuring Martin Freeman and Tom Hollander.

It follows a psychiatrist who is sent to a prison to examine an inmate with a peculiar affliction – he believes he’s a god.

Martin Freeman in the film

On January 16 Mark and cast will find out if they have been nominated for an Academy Award.

Mark, who studied film production, said: “To be shortlisted for an Oscar is a feat in itself. If we get the nomination though it’s pretty safe to say I will lose my mind. That said I don’t think any film maker worth their salt sets out to make a film to win an award but believe me they do help when you get them.”

“My time at UCLan was enjoyable and gave me a good foundation for moving forward with my work” he said. “I received a lot of support while I was there, particular from Alan Keegan who believed in me from my very first film and encouraged me to get industry experience during my studies; a valuable lesson for any student.

“I also have to acknowledge Dean Summers (now course leader at Sheffield Hallam) who taught a valuable theory module which actually now underpins more of my work than anything else.”

Doctor Williams is called in to examine the enigmatic Mr Voorman, a prisoner with a peculiar affliction: he believes he is a god. The doctor must decide on the sanity of Mr Voorman: is he a faker or a lunatic?

Diagnose him insane and they can ship him off to the asylum. But before making a decision, the doctor has several questions in relation to Voorman’s claim: why would a god choose to be straitjacketed in a prison, is there a way he can validate his boast and what has any of this got to do with Belgium?